Device and method for holding a tie in proper position

ABSTRACT

The instant invention is a device and a method for holding a tie in proper position. The device for holding a tie in proper position according to instant invention includes a sleeve having a backside, and means for attachment positioned on the backside. The method for holding a tie in proper position includes the steps of (1) providing a tie; (2) providing a device for holding the tie in proper position including a sleeve having a backside; and means for attachment positioned on the backside; and (3) securing the tie in proper position via the device for holding the tie in proper position.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The instant application relates to a device and a method for holding atie in proper position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of ties to accessorize is generally known. However, holding atie in its proper position is not always an easy task. In general,people come in different shapes and sizes, and such differences couldcause various problems with holding a tie in proper position.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,704,081 discloses a device for shaping neckties. Thedevice for shaping neckties includes two half members made from sheetmetal or other stiff sheet material, and each member is made tapering inwidth longitudinally.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,775,431 discloses a stretching and smoothening devicefor neckties. The stretching and smoothening device for neckties consistessentially of an oblong strap with slightly tapering longitudinaledges. The strap is made of paper-board, wood, metal, hard rubber orsimilar material having one or both of its surfaces slightly roughened.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,382 discloses a crease preventing tie holder. Thecrease preventing tie holder includes a trapezoidal cardboard adapted toform a support for four-in-hand ties which have been folded in half andengaged over the top end thereof with a band of paper being engagedabout the cardboard and ties in a manner to retain the ties in positionupon the cardboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,487,486 discloses a necktie ironing board. The necktieironing board includes a base member, an intermediate layer, and anouter covering layer. The base member is preferably formed ofsubstantially stiff material such as metal. The base member is taperedto conform to the shape of the usual four-in-hand tie. The intermediatelayer is formed of flannel, felt, blanket material, and the like. Theouter covering is made of any thin suitable material to tightly fit thebase member. The base member is inserted into the intermediate layer;and this is then inserted into the outer covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,618,378 discloses a device for keeping neckties flat andin a pressed condition while being stored, shipped or handled to preventthe unintentional folding or creasing of the ends of the ties. Thisdevice includes a member of elongated, flat sheet material, which has anintegral tongue attached thereto via an integral connection.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,035 discloses a tie holder for holding a pluralityof four-in-hand ties in smooth unwrinkled condition. The tie holderdevice includes an elongated generally rectangular flat base about whicha necktie may be doubled, a first and second identical clamping members,means for mounting the clamping members onto the base member, and asingle spring means.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,658 discloses a necktie press form. The necktiepress form includes an inner unit formed of a single piece of relativelythick metal, and an outer unit formed of a single piece of metal. Theouter unit is joined to inner unit via fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,603 discloses a necktie press. The press consists ofa pair of rigid plates between which is mounted an envelope ofmoister-proof material containing a bed of moisture absorbing spongymaterial. The plates are held together by a pair of channel-shapedclamps, and are tapered in thickness in opposite directions from end toend.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,822 discloses a necktie-forming device. Thenecktie-forming device includes a metal base, a sponge padding gluedonto the top surface of the metal base, a sub-cover, and outer cover.

Despite the forgoing efforts, there is a still a need for a costeffective device and method for holding a tie in proper position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is a device and a method for holding a tie inproper position. The device for holding a tie in proper positionaccording to instant invention includes a sleeve having a backside, andmeans for attachment positioned on the backside. The method for holdinga tie in proper position includes the steps of (1) providing a tie; (2)providing a device for holding the tie in proper position including asleeve having a backside; and means for attachment positioned on thebackside; (3) attaching the device for holding the tie in properposition via the means for attachment to the tie; and (4) securing thetie in proper position via the device for holding the tie in properposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGS. 1 A-B illustrate a preferred embodiment of the instant device forholding a tie in proper position;

FIGS. 2 A-M are alternative shapes of the device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 A-I are alternative cross-sectional views of device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another alternative embodiment of the device for holding atie;

FIG. 5 is the device of FIG. 1 further including an attachment member;and

FIG. 6 is a tie kit including the device of FIG. 1 for holding a tie inproper position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements,there is shown, in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the device 10 forholding a tie in proper position. The device 10 for holding a tie inproper position includes a sleeve 12, and means 14 for attachment.

Sleeve 12 includes a frame 11 and a channel 13 therethrough. Sleeve 12may have any shape. For example, sleeve 12 may have a shape selectedfrom the group consisting of rectangle, square, circle, semicircle,triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral, trapezoid, diamond, heart, clover,star, bar, combinations thereof, and the like, as shown in FIGS. 2 A-M.Sleeve 12 may have front side 26 as shown in FIG. 1A, a backside 28 asshown in FIG. 1B, or combinations thereof. Sleeve 12 may have any crosssectional view. For example, sleeve 12 may have a cross sectional viewselected from the group consisting of rectangle, square, circle,semicircle, triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral, trapezoid, diamond,bar, combinations thereof, and the like, as shown in FIGS. 3 A-I. Sleeve12 may be made of any material, for example, sleeve 12 may be made of amaterial selected from the group consisting of natural material,synthetic material, semi-synthetic material, combinations thereof, andthe like. For example, sleeve 12 may be made of a material selected fromthe group consisting of cotton, nylon, neoprene, spandex, polyester,rubber, leather, synthetic leather, gortex, rayon, silk, velvet,acrylic, satin, paper, metal, polyolefins, poly (vinyl chlorides),polyesters, feathers, glass, velum, plastics, silica fiber, combinationsthereof, and the like. Referring to FIG. 4, sleeve 12 may furtherinclude a cut away portion 16. Cut away portion 16 may be locatedanywhere on sleeve 12; for example cutaway portion 16 may be located onbackside of sleeve 12. Sleeve 12 may have any dimensions. For example,sleeve 12 may have any length 18, and any width 20, as shown in FIG. 1A.For example, sleeve 12 may be have a length 18 in the range of about0.01 inch to about 5 inches, and a width 20 in the range of about 0.01inch to about 5 inches. Sleeve 14 may further include means forcommunications (not shown). Means for communications (not shown) may beany means for communication; for example, means for communication may beselected from the group consisting of patterns, designs, photographs,drawings, barcodes, words, ideas, concepts, logos, brands, trademarks,slogans, advertisings, instructions, cartoon characters, andcombinations thereof.

Means 14 for attachment may include any means for attachments. Forexample, means 14 for attachment may be selected from the groupconsisting of adhesives, Velcro, clips, magnets, pins, staples, buttons,zippers, snaps, hooks, combinations thereof, or the like. Means 14 forattachment may facilitate a temporary attachment, a permanentattachment, or combinations thereof.

Device 10 for holding a tie in proper position may further include anattachment member 30, as shown in FIG. 5. Attachment member 30 may haveany shape. For example, attachment member 30 may be an elongated memberselected from the group consisting of a strap, a narrow strip, a band, arope, combinations thereof, and the like. Attachment 30 may be made ofany material; for example, attachment member 30 may be made of the samematerial as the sleeve 12, as described hereinabove. Attachment member30 may be secured to the device 10. Attachment member 30 may be securedto the device 10 temporarily or it may be attached to device 10permanently. Attachment member 30 may be secured to device 10 viaadhesives, Velcro, clips, magnets, pins, staples, buttons, zippers,snaps, hooks, combinations thereof, or the like. In the alternative,attachment member 30 may be secured to device 10 by disposing attachmentmember 30 within channel 13. Attachment member 30 may be adapted tosecure device 12 for holding a tie to a shirt 32. Attachment member 30may be attached to the shirt 32 temporarily or it may be attached toshirt 32 permanently. Attachment member 30 may be secured to shirt 32via adhesives, Velcro, clips, magnets, pins, staples, buttons, zippers,snaps, hooks, combinations thereof, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 6, a tie kit 22 may include an elongated member 24,and a device 12 for holding the elongated member 24 in proper position.Elongated member 24 may be any conventional tie 24′. Referring to FIGS.5 and 6, in operation, a conventional tie 24′ and a device 10 forholding the tie in proper position are provided. The device 10, asdescribed hereinabove, for holding a tie in proper position includes asleeve 12 having a backside 28, and means 14 for attachment to the tiepositioned on the backside. Next the device 10 is attached to the tie24′ via the means 14 for attachment, and then the tie 24′ is secured inits proper position via the device 10 for holding a tie in properposition. In the alternative, a conventional tie 24′ and a device 10 forholding the tie in proper position further including an attachmentmember 30 are provided. The device 10, as described hereinabove, forholding a tie in proper position includes a sleeve 12 having a backside28, and means 14 for attachment to the tie positioned on the backside.Next the device 10 is attached to the tie 24′ via the means 14 forattachment, and then the tie 24′ is secured in its proper position viathe device 10 for holding a tie in proper position. The device 10 isfurther secured to shirt 32 via attachment member 30.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly,reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to theforegoing specification, as indicated the scope of the invention.

1. A device for holding a tie in proper position consisting essentiallyof: a sleeve having a backside; a means for direct attachment to saidtie positioned on said backside; and wherein said means for directattachment being selected from the group consisting of: adhesives, hookand loop materials, clips, magnets, pins, staples, buttons, zippers,snaps, hooks, and combinations thereof.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled) 4.The device of claim 1, wherein said means for direct attachment beingfor temporary attachment, permanent attachment, or combinations thereof.5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve having a shape selectedfrom the group consisting of rectangle, square, circle, semicircle,triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral, trapezoid, diamond, heart, clover,star, bar, and combinations thereof.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid sleeve comprising a material selected from the group consisting ofnatural material, synthetic material, semi-synthetic material, andcombinations thereof.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said sleevecomprising a material selected from the group consisting of cotton,nylon, neoprene, spandex, polyester, rubber, leather, synthetic leather,gortex, rayon, silk, velvet, acrylic, satin, paper, metal, polyolefins,poly (vinyl chlorides), polyesters, feathers, glass, velum, plastics,silica fiber, and combinations thereof.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The device ofclaim 1, where in said sleeve having a cross sectional view selectedfrom the group consisting of rectangle, square, circle, semicircle,triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral, trapezoid, diamond, bar, andcombinations thereof.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A tie kit comprising: anattachment member; and a device for holding said attachment member inproper position comprising; a sleeve having a backside; a means fordirect attachment to a tie positioned on said backside; a means fordirect attachment to said attachment member positioned on said sleeve;and wherein said means for direct attachment being selected from thegroup consisting of: adhesives, hook and loop materials, clips, magnets,pins, staples, buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, and combinations thereof.12. (canceled)
 13. The tie kit of claim 11, wherein said sleeve furtherincluding a cutaway portion.
 14. The tie kit of claim 11, wherein saidsleeve having a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangle,square, circle, semicircle, triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral,trapezoid, diamond, heart, clover, star, bar, and combinations thereof.15. The tie kit of claim 11, wherein said sleeve comprising a materialselected from the group consisting of natural material, syntheticmaterial, semi-synthetic material, and combinations thereof.
 16. Amethod for holding a tie in proper position comprising the steps of:providing said tie; providing a device for holding said tie in properposition comprising; a sleeve having a backside; a means for directattachment to said tie positioned on said backside; wherein said meansfor direct attachment being selected from the group consisting of:adhesives, hook and loop materials, clips, magnets, pins, staples,buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, and combinations thereof; attaching saiddevice to said tie via said means for direct attachment; and securingsaid tie in proper position via said device.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Themethod for holding a tie in proper position according to claim 16,wherein said sleeve further including a cutaway portion.
 19. The methodfor holding a tie in proper position according to claim 16, wherein saidsleeve having a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangle,square, circle, semicircle, triangle, oblong, oval, tetrahedral,trapezoid, diamond, heart, clover, star, bar, and combinations thereof.20. The method for holding a tie in proper position according to claim16, wherein said sleeve comprising a material selected from the groupconsisting of cotton, nylon, neoprene, spandex, polyester, rubber,leather, synthetic leather, gortex, rayon, silk, velvet, acrylic, satin,paper, metal, polyolefins, poly (vinyl chlorides)., polyesters,feathers, glass, velum, plastics, silica fiber, and combinationsthereof.
 21. The method according to claim 16, including the additionalsteps of: providing an attachment member; a means for direct attachmentto a shirt positioned on said attachment member; a means for directattachment to said device positioned on said attachment member; whereinsaid means for direct attachment being selected form the groupconsisting of: adhesives, hook and loop materials, clips, magnets, pins,staples, buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, and combinations thereof;securing said attachment member to said shirt via said means for directattachment; securing said attachment member to said device via saidmeans for direct attachment.
 22. The method according to claim 21,wherein said attachment member being an elongated member.
 23. The tiekit of claim 11, wherein said attachment member being an elongatedmember.
 24. The tie kit of claim 11, wherein said means for directattachment being for temporary attachment, permanent attachment, orcombinations thereof.
 25. The tie kit of claim 11, wherein said sleevefurther including a means for communication selected from the groupconsisting of patterns, designs, photographs, drawings, barcodes, words,ideas, concepts, logos, brands, trademarks, slogans, advertisings,instructions, cartoon characters and combinations thereof.
 26. The tiekit of claim 11, wherein said sleeve and said elongated member eachcomprising a material selected from the group consisting of cotton,nylon, neoprene, spandex, polyester, rubber, leather, synthetic leather,gortex, rayon, silk, velvet, acrylic, satin, paper, metal, polyolefins,poly (vinyl chlorides), polyesters, feathers, glass, velum, plastics,silica fiber, and combination thereof.